Chapter 324 Heart
As the heavenly ladder descended, the entire world trembled, as if a primordial chant echoed and reverberated around it.
At this moment, the sky was ablaze with rosy light, and black birds flew in unison.
Those who came to participate in this war of the gods were all knights and priests personally trained by Xiu over the past hundred years.
They all donned their finest armor, took up their most exquisite weapons, and their combined aura was earth-shattering. They awaited Xiu's command to set off.
Xiu rode a tall, snow-white steed. The horse's hooves and mane were like auspicious clouds. It could actually fly. The moment Xiu drew his sword and gave the command, it neighed and leaped onto the heavenly ladder, galloping all the way.
Only then can one closely follow behind.
She researched why the Heavenly Ladder descended and later discovered various explanations in the ancient ruins, the most common being that the divine realm had left a gateway for human advancement.
Those who can climb the Heavenly Ladder and complete the entire journey will be immediately deified.
The process is certainly not as simple as it sounds. There are many trials on the ladder, with various winds, thunder and lightning attacking in layers, as well as various illusions, enough to confuse the mind of any challenger.
However, if one's mind is not firm enough, even if one reaches the final step, one will be reduced to their original state.
After several twists and turns, Fang Ke and his team entered this illusionary realm as a test.
When Fang Ke turned around alertly, she was already all alone beside him.
Before her lay a ladder of gold and jade, step by step. Holding the Golden Crow Divine Sword, she could only keep her eyes fixed on the goal at the end and keep walking forward.
Perhaps she was indeed trapped in an illusion, but her journey had been quite smooth, without any further obstacles.
Fang Ke really reached the top of the Heavenly Ladder, and the divine realm before her was exactly as she had imagined.
The Nine Heavens Palace stands majestically, surrounded by clouds and rosy hues, its seven-colored palaces and halls appearing and disappearing in the mist.
The sky was purple-gold, like an inverted Milky Way, reflecting the golden Milky Way flowing beneath our feet, with white jade steps everywhere.
Before Fang Ke, a divine bird spread its wings and sang, scattering golden light. The bird circled above her head, then landed beside her and bowed its head.
Fang Ke raised an eyebrow, looking at the bird's expression as if it was inviting her to sit on it.
Fang Ke then sat down sideways, and the divine bird shook its body, spread its wings again, and flew directly towards the highest and most magnificent temple.
Looking at everything beneath her feet, Fang Ke felt that if this was an illusion, she wasn't sure if she could still be lucid.
Upon reaching the entrance of the main hall, the divine bird landed, bowed respectfully once more, and set her down.
As Fang Ke hesitated, the divine bird nuzzled her back with its head, as if urging and encouraging her.
Only then could she say "thank you" and walk to the gate. The giant gate opened slowly and automatically, as if everything was waiting for her arrival.
Fang Ke lowered her eyes, finding it utterly absurd that the most noble person in the world was sitting inside, yet had been waiting for her to end him.
As she entered the hall, it felt as if countless eyes were watching her, scrutinizing her, and examining her.
Fang Ke immediately noticed a huge lotus pond in the center of the main hall, with several lotus flowers blooming in it. Each lotus flower was incredibly mysterious, with transparent petals like crystal and golden light shimmering in the center of the stamen, as if it contained supreme divine power.
Fang Ke's gaze was drawn to the lotus flower, but a voice called him back, "Don't stare at it for too long, or it will devour your mind."
Fang Ke was taken aback. Following the sound, she looked up and saw the steps of the main hall. Behind the beaded curtains and jade screens, the god was sitting on the throne, his golden eyes gazing at her from afar.
The god smiled slightly and said, "You've finally arrived, Philomena... or should I call you Fang Ke?"
Fang Ke remained silent, but still bowed to him according to the etiquette of this world.
She looked up and said, "Either is fine."
His silver hair fell down, he smiled, and waved to Fang Ke. Fang Ke then found himself standing at the foot of his divine throne steps.
Fang Ke: "..."
Fang Ke couldn't help but say, "To be honest, I think your abilities are all above those of your avatars, or rather, they're not even in the same league."
"oh?"
"God, are you sure I can kill you?"
Various roars instantly erupted from all around the hall. Xiu waved his hand, silencing them all.
Xiu's golden eyes were fixed on her, and he smiled, "I believe you."
Fang Ke couldn't help but find it amusing. "May I ask you why?"
Xiu's face, bathed in golden light, was truly dreamlike and incredibly handsome.
"Didn't you already know when you went to retrieve the Golden Crow?"
Fang Ke thought of the divine messenger, but she said, "Well, I still want to hear your explanation in person."
Xiu nodded slightly, "It's just following the way of Heaven."
He raised his hand, showing Fang Ke the lotus pond that she had almost been mesmerized by just now.
"Look at that lotus pond, what do you notice?"
Fang Ke was puzzled. She didn't know what Xie Xiu wanted to test her on, so she only told what she could see: "There are 12 lotus flowers in the pond. Seven have withered, five are in full bloom, and one of them is already showing signs of decay..."
As she spoke, she understood something and turned sharply to look at Xie Xiu. The man nodded approvingly, "That's right, as you can see, these are the spiritual manifestations of the 12 small worlds."
Fang Ke: "..."
Xie Xiu suddenly lifted the beaded curtain, stepped down from the throne, and walked to Fang Ke's side.
"So everything I do is simply in accordance with the way of Heaven."
Fang Ke fell into a long silence. What could she say now? All the evidence was right in front of her. Xie Xiu could have just taken action to get rid of her, but he did nothing and let her do as she pleased.
"Since you already knew why I came here, why didn't you kill me from the beginning?"
Xiu thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "Perhaps I wouldn't want to in other worlds either."
"..."
Xiu laughed and said, "So at first, I was very curious about you. I went down to the mortal realm to see you, bestowed divine breath upon you, and gave you divine gifts... But none of these can compare to the thrill you brought me when you were by his side."
Seeing Fang Ke's more puzzled look, Xiu took her hand and placed it on his chest.
Fang Ke's hand froze.
"Philomena, have you ever guessed the origin of Xiu, who is by your side?"
Fang Ke pursed her lips and said, "He said he was a part of your soul and essence, and was taken to the lower realm to avoid the prophecy."
Xiu lowered his eyes, his golden pupils shimmering and captivating.
He nodded, then shook his head. "No."
He suddenly looked at Fang Ke, his smile profound, "He is my heart."
Fang Ke's pupils suddenly contracted, and the hand on his chest felt like it was being electrocuted.
"What!?"
"Therefore, everything he feels and knows, even the slightest emotional fluctuation, can be transmitted to me."
"I also felt his resentment, compassion, rage, love, and the unexpected excitement at your arrival."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
